Engine cutting out

[rzrz]

2 weeks ago engine (S3c) cut out under acceleration at about 2500-3000 rpm, recovered after a few seconds. Pulled over to a parking lot, turned the ignition off and waited a few minutes. On turning the key completely nothing happened, no fuel pump, no starting engine. Again a few minutes later it started as if nothing had happened. Cutting out under acceleration never reoccurred since then, but every now and then the engine dies when depressing the clutch pedal to change gear or to stop.
Replaced the tank fuel sender a couple of weeks ago, using liquid sealant. Perhaps some of this has gotten into the filter under the fuel tank causing the trouble.
Beside of that I thought there was a leak in the exhaust but a close inspection showed one of the connections between cat and exhaust had loosend up. Repaired it today. Could this have led to faulty signals from one of the lambda sondes causing the problems?

Your thoughts please

Raoul

[tinks v8S]

may not be this but mine used to do this
found to be the YELLOW CONNECTOR

[Barkychoc]

Agree - worth checking - yellow connector in steering column disconnect it and look inside and it could possibly be melted.

[Mr Clifford]

tinks v8S said:

may not be this but mine used to do this
found to be the YELLOW CONNECTOR

Same problem here. Conked out. Then started up again. Yellow connector finally burnt out 4 months later.
Fixed then fine !

[Griffinr]

This thread is useful if I copied it right. Same thing happen to mine.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... Connector

Rob.

[Gerald-TVR]

And me

[GreenV8S]

And me.

[rzrz]

Opened the yellow connector: looks like new, no signs of burning or melting.
Fuel pump relay intermittently malfunctioning? Only detectable I think if caught in the act.
As soon as the tank is nearly empty I will drain it and clean the filter underneath it.
Meanwhile I'll just drive it (have to get the tank empty!) and see what happens.

[grahamw48]

Check all earths...especially the big straps... battery, engine and gearbox.

[GreenV8S]

Usual symptoms of a failing fuel pump relay are that the pump switches off at random after 20 minutes or so, and restarts immediately if you switch off and on. Intermittent problems while driving sound more like a poor contact somewhere, but these typically don't cure themselves by magic while the car is parked.

[rzrz]

Drove about 50 km this afternoon without any problem. On starting again on my drive the fuel pump made a sort of rattling noise, I assume it is on it's way out.
I'll test it by putting 12 V directly from the battery on it.

[rzrz]

Update:
- put 12V on the fuel pump: seems to be fine, no strange noises
- opened the fuel pump relay: no signs of damage, cleaned the contacts

Lent the car to a friend (for his wedding day, warned him about the recent odd behaviour): after refueling the car wouldn't start: no fuel pump, no starter engine. Enough wedding guests to push it, which brought the engine to life.

Had the APK (Dutch MOT) done; discussed the problem with the mechanic. In his opinon it could be the immobilizer (I know, I didn't mention it) because both the fuel line and the starter engine are concerned, which are 2 separate circuits.

What does it mean that the engine can be started by pushing the car when both fuel pump and starter engine fail?
Could it be a fault in the immobilizer? It seems to operate normally, it's the type where you have to keep a little stick against 2 contact points on the dash.

Your thoughts please.

Raoul

[Barkychoc]

Multi way connector on right side of engine (viewed from drivers seat LHD or RHD) can play up. If you can get hold of a ford star tester or equivalent I'm told it has a 'wiggle test' where you wiggle various connectors and it reports if there is a problem.